Check out these deals from our partners

Enter to win a new camera, studio lighting kit and more!

It’s our birthday, and we want to celebrate with you! Check out our 21st birthday contest and win a free photo toolbox just by entering. We’ll have prizes every month, plus a grand prize which includes a new camera! This month, we’re giving away a studio lighting kit from B&H. Learn more and enter to win >

eBook Review: Get to Work – Dedpxl Business Primer

Photographer Zack Arias, recently released a new ebook entitled, Get to Work. You might’ve heard Zack and Marco talking about it on the podcast (a great interview by itself). As a photographer knee deep in business development, I thought I’d check it out. While I’ve been operating as a full-time photographer the last couple years, I’ve recently relocated my business to a new state. So the great thing is that I get a fresh start, but the tough part is that I have to start from scratch. Having read some of Zack’s previous books, I knew this one was worth grabbing.

Why Should You Listen to Zack?

Zack knows his stuff. He’s built a highly respected business from nothing — probably less than nothing if you count the debt he mentions. This book is full of personal stories of his struggles starting out and his inspiring solutions. He overcame many obstacles with nothing but pure desperation and amazing drive. His words are simply inspiring.

He’s brutally honest — this is not a feel-good business inspiration talk. With headlines like “Pay your F***** Taxes,” he gets right to the point. Sure, photography is subjective, but if you subjectively apply only certain essential business practices, it’ll catch up to you at the worst time.

Who’s it For?

If you’re a photographer or creative entrepreneur looking to run a serious business, this book is for you. Newer photographers will probably find a little more value. But it’s a good reality check for seasoned photographers as well.

He also shares a few pages for the people in your life that love and support you. Simply hand it to someone who loves you and say, “please read this, it’ll help you make sense of this crazy business I’m in.”

What Does the Book Cover?

In about 120 pages, Zack starts with the very basics around taxes and budgeting. These are things we all know we should be doing. But a not-so-gentle reminder is good for us creative types.

Then things get really interesting as Zack goes deep around developing your market, pricing, branding, advertising and the hustle. To make his point, he includes a lot of personal experiences and creative approaches around each idea. If you don’t walk away with some new ideas for your business, I don’t know what to tell you.

Even if you’ve followed Zack for awhile, you probably don’t know that he started what would become a totally separate catalog photography business — all from a random conversation in a parking lot. This was a fascinating section for me with all sorts of lessons on branding, operations, and management.

Final Thoughts

If you’re running a photo business or considering starting a photo business, this book should be on your list. Even as I write this review, I realized I need to print out a copy, reread it, and make some major notes. It’s that good!

By shopping with our partners and affiliates, you help keep content on Photofocus free. Thank you for your support!

Share this post with your friends:

Scott launched a successful headshot photography business after years of the corporate grind. A believer in the power of a great first impression, Scott’s images help clients show their best selves to the world. He loves learning from and sharing with the photography community, geeking out about technical tricks, savvy marketing, and being a dad. Based in Detroit, you can find him at scottlawrencephoto.com or on Instagram or Facebook.

I would certainly agree. Been following Zack for years. Soon as he released it I knew I had to have it. Its a fast read and very poignant. He writes from the heart based on his own experiences. And yes, its one of those references a photographer should pick up and refer to over and over. Now I need to go back and read it again.

0

Reply

Thanks to our partners who make Photofocus possible:

B&H – B&H is a world renowned supplier of all the gear photographers, videographers, and cinematographers need and want to create their very best work.

Skylum – Your photos, more beautiful in minutes. Makers of Luminar, Aurora and Photolemur, Skylum adapts to your style and skill level. Check out Luminar 4’s unique sky replacement and portrait editing tools, now available. Save 42% off the retail price and get the Photofocus bundle for free!

Datacolor– Get perfect color every time, whether it be for your computer monitor, camera or more! Check out the Datacolor SpyderX and start calibrating your colors today.

Excire Search – Experience the best photo organizer for Lightroom Classic, letting you easily discover photos by color, subject — even people. Try the new Excire Search 2.0 Pro for 20% off when you use the coupon code PFPro.

Xpozer – Show off your photos and fill your walls with the Xpozer frame system. Xpozer makes it easy to switch out your photos in a matter of minutes! Check out the Xpozer Start-Pack, including a 16×24″ print and frame, plus $210 worth of bonuses, exclusive to Photofocus readers!

Illuminati – Get perfect exposure every time, with the new Illuminati IM-150 light and color meter.

Drobo – Drobo is the smartest storage solution in the world. Drobo is storage that protects data — photos, videos and everything else — from hard drive failure. Drobo is peace of mind for the working pro or serious amateur who have a lot of external drives cluttering up the desktop. Save 10% with the coupon code PHOTOFOCUS.

Regardless of the type of photography you focus on, Photofocus is here as a helpful and educational resource for the aspiring and professional photographer. Our goal is to assist in your success as an artist.